Sport Betting Industry Aims To Protect Itself

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Sport wagering industry wants to safeguard itself

16 September 2010

By Bill Wilson

Business reporter, BBC News

sports betting on sport is substantial business.

Sport England approximates the worth of costs on sport-related sports betting in England grew from ₤ 1.7 bn in 1985 to ₤ 2.8 bn in 2008.

Which figure is most likely to have grown even more, with an estimated ₤ 1bn bet on the World Cup alone in the UK this summer season.

Meanwhile, German research study company Sport & Markt estimates the general global gaming market will deserve 263bn euros (₤ 220bn) by 2012, with much of that driven by web and sports betting gambling.

But when the stability of events are hit the gaming market suffers, and revenues are put under danger if customers can not bet with confidence.

And there can have been few higher-profile sport sports betting stories than those affecting cricket and snooker this year.

High-profile

As Sport & Markt's Gareth Moore observes: "Everyone discuss the sports betting gambling market now.

"Not just is it a significant market in world business, it is one that is now on the front pages of papers."

Four Pakistan cricketers have actually been questioned by police over spot-fixing allegations connecting to a test versus England at Lord's last month.

Three of these players have said they will also challenge the corruption charges mounted versus the trio by the sport governing body the International Cricket Council.

Meanwhile, three-times snooker world champ John Higgins was cleared of match-fixing allegations, however was banned last week for 6 months for failing to report the prohibited approach to him to throw frames.

There are likewise 2 other continuing examinations - not related to Mr Higgins - into snooker.

'Honest'

David O'Reilly is legal counsel for Betfair, among the UK's greatest online sporting exchanges.

"If the sport is perceived as sincere, straight and fair that is good for sports betting firms because people will spend money wagering with confidence," he states.

"If you take the Pakistan claims, although unassociated to the UK managed sports betting industry ... it is not actually a favorable story for wagering in the UK.

"That is due to the fact that the perception is that 'cricket is now something we may have to beware about'."

'Education'

So what can be done to avoid future scandals?

According to experts at a World sports betting Law Report conference into sports betting, the focus needs to be on sportsmen and sportswomen.

As Simon Taylor of the Professional Players' Federation explains: "The only individuals who can fix a match are the competitors or the referee."

His organisation represents males and females in 15 sports betting in the UK, being an umbrella organisation for all gamer organisations, such as the Professional Footballers' Association.

He believes that it is inadequate to merely have deterrents, sanctions and disciplinary procedures, however that the way to tackle prospective issues around players is likewise through education.

Mr Taylor states guidelines need to be described clearly to players with clear examples, and by individuals they appreciate.

"Through educating gamers about sports betting wagering you enhance stability which remains in everyone's interest," he includes.

"If players are more difficult to corrupt then sport will be harder to corrupt."

'Brand damage'

Matt Johnson, head of regulatory legal suggestions at the Football Association, agrees.

"Prevention is much better than treatment, and we likewise make a point of telling gamers 'you are going to be captured'."

"It is vital that sport is straight, and is seen to be directly," he includes.

"If it loses that then people do not want to bet, that is not in sports betting companies' interests, and it is not in our interests."

He said that as soon as a good track record was lost, the damage to a sport was "enormous".

FA guidelines imply players are not enabled to bank on a competitors in which they are involved.

Mr Johnson states gamers need to be seen not to be cashing in on any inside knowledge, which he says might trigger "brand name damage" to football and its competitions.

So, even a 2nd Division gamer knocked out of the FA Cup in the autumn can not bet on a Manchester United v Chelsea cup last the following spring.

"We have to get over to gamers the reputational threat to the video game," he says. "Once confidence has been damaged it is hard to get it back - mud sticks."

'Overwhelmingly legal'

If this represents the "carrot" approach, then maybe Nick Tofiluk, director of policy at the Gambling Commission, represents the "stick".

The Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act 2005 to manage industrial sports betting in Great Britain.

An ex-chief constable of West Midlands police, Mr Tofiluk has responsibility for policing all sports betting in the UK apart from spread sports betting, which is the remit of the FSA.

"The overwhelming majority of sports betting taking place through UK operators is legal and fair," he says.

"But for some there is the temptation to ... corruptly hinder the result of a sporting occasion.

"Such unfaithful has the possible to undermine the stability of a sport, and it likewise damages the business interests of sports betting bodies and sports betting wagering."

The commission has established an internal Sports Betting Intelligence Unit to receive and disseminate details to sporting authorities, sports betting firms and policing authorities.

"Since 2007 we have experienced a considerable insight into world of corrupt sports betting," he says.

"We will alert sports betting of our issues, to assist prevent or reduce [prohibited] activity"

In May 2010, the commission likewise introduced a confidential telephone hotline for those with info or suspicions.

'Vulnerabilities'

But in a two-and-a-half year duration there has actually been just one prosecution, a 24-year-old guy who was warned for cheating in relation to greyhound racing.

However, Mr Tofiluk states there are still 8 continuous examinations, which much helpful details has actually also been passed to sports betting authorities.

He stated that where an investigation by a sport governing body was quicker, and more expense reliable, then the commission would consider terminating a criminal examination "in favour of letting sports betting governing bodies take the lead".

Meanwhile, he states many of those wanting to cheat the sports betting wagering market were experienced about sports betting and sporting people, and about wagering operations and the movement of cash.

"They look for the vulnerabilities of these to assist in their business."